Omaha man held on bond after threatening Nebraska school, governor’s family

An Omaha man was held on bond after allegedly making threats against a Nebraska school and Gov. Jim Pillen's family.

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Omaha man held on bond after threats against Nebraska school and Gov. Jim Pillen’s family

COLUMBUS, Neb. —

The Omaha man accused of threatening violence against a Nebraska high school and Gov. Jim Pillen’s family was held on bond during a court appearance Monday.

Ean Halstead, 32, is charged with felony terroristic threats and tampering with evidence in the incident.

Previous coverage: Nebraska State Patrol arrests Omaha man for allegedly making threats against Nebraska school, Pillen’s family

Columbus Catholic Schools reported a threatening comment toward Columbus Scotus and the governor’s family to the Nebraska State Patrol, according to court documents.

“That threat being, ‘I’m going to shoot up this school and kill Jim Pillen’s children with a few nuns for (expetive) funsies,’” Douglas County Deputy Prosecutor Alex Kelly said.

Prosecutors confirmed that Pillen’s grandchildren attend Columbus Scotus.

Columbus Catholic Schools shared a statement with families over the weekend.

It said, “as a school system, we will continue to make the safety of all associated with our schools a high priority.”

Troopers investigated the threat, which led them to an Omaha apartment building near 45th Street and Bedford Avenue, authorities said. Troopers tried to make contact, but Halstead would not follow commands. He “ran to the apartment and barricaded himself inside.”

After almost two hours, Halstead exited the residence and was taken into custody. The Nebraska State Patrol said investigators confiscated multiple electronics from the residence, and troopers said they found evidence linking Halstead to the threat.

Court documents state Halstead performed a factory reset on a cellphone inside the residence and unplugged a router inside the residence, indicating “intentional obstruction of law enforcement.”

“Wiping his phone, hiding his phone,” Kelly said. “Unplugging your router all show consciousness of guilt.”

Kelly also noted a prior 2023 conviction.

Prosecutors accused Halstead of trying to kill his ex-boyfriend and lighting his room on fire.

“There’s a history of threatening violence and then carrying through on those threats of violence,” Douglas County Prosecutor Don Kleine said.

Halstead was held on 10% of a $1 million bond Monday and was ordered not to have contact with Pillen and the governor’s office, as well as Pillen’s children and grandchildren.

Kleine said his office takes any threats to kill someone seriously, especially threats made against the governor and his grandchildren, who Pillen calls his babies.

“This one was very disturbing. When somebody does enough research to know where my babies are going to school and then did a threat to the school,” Pillen said.

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